Ernani

In the year 1519, in a forest in the mountains of Aragon, a group of rebels
are celebrating the coming revolt against the king.
The commander of the
bandits appears, the outlawed nobleman Ernani who wishes to avenge
the death of his father at the hands of the father of the reigning
king, Don Carlo. He announces his intention of abducting Elvira,
with whom he is in love, but who is about to be married to her elderly uncle,
Don Ruy Gomez de Silva (``Come rugiada al cespite'').
Elvira, in Silva's castle, awaits her elopement with Ernani
(``Ernani, Ernani involami'').
Don Carlo appears, however, for he is enamored of the girl,
and intent on taking her away with him.
Elvira resists, and just then Ernani arrives. The encounter
is interrupted by the arrival of old Silva, who, not immediately
recognizing the king, challenges both him and Ernani to a duel
(``Infin che un brando vindice''). The arrival of Carlo's
squire clarifies the situation: Silva kneels and asks for pardon;
Carlo saves Ernani, who has meanwhile exchanged vows of love with
Elvira, explaining to Silva that he had come to the castle to
discuss with him the coming imperial election.

At Silva's castle, where preparations for the wedding have been
going on meanwhile. Ernani arrives; following the collapse of the
conspiracy against the king, he had fled disguised as a pilgrim.
Silva extends him his hospitality, but later surpises him with Elvira.
Furious, he meditates on his vengeance; nevertheless, on the
arrival of the king, who demands that the fugitive be handed over,
Silva refuses and conceals Ernani, under the obligation of hospitality
(``Lo vedremo, veglio audace''). After searching the castle
in vain, Carlo departs, taking Elvira with him, however
(``Vieni meco, sol di rose''). Silva again challenges
Ernani to a duel. When the two realize that Carlo is their mutual foe,
they agree to suspend their quarrel to take vengeance against the king.
Once this is accomplished, Ernani's life will be in Silva's hands.
As pledge, Ernani gives Silva a hunting horn: when it is sounded,
Ernani will kill himself (``Odi il voto'').

At Aix-la-Chapelle, before the tomb of Charlemagne, the election of
the new emperor is awaited. Carlo (``Oh, de' verd'anni miei'')
enters the subterranean vault, where Silva, Ernani,
and their fellow conspirators have planned their vengeance.
The conspirators draw lots to decide who shall kill Carlo:
Ernani is chosen. Silva asks Ernani to cede him the right,
in exchange for his life, but is refused.
The conspirators (``Si ridesti il leon di Castiglia'')
are interrupted by a cannon shot, announcing the imperial
election. Carlo riappears for the coronation, followed by
ladies and knights: among them is Elvira,
who begs him to pardon the rebels and spare their lives.
The emperor grants an amnesty, and magnanimously gives
Elvira in marriage to Ernani, to whom his rightful property
is restored. The act concludes with a paean to the
new emperor, successor to Charlemagne (``O sommo Carlo'').
One person, however, does not join the jubilation, but cries out
for vengeance: Silva.

A terrace of the palace of Don Juan of Aragon (Ernani's real name).
During the wedding celebration, the servants note a man
with an angry aspect, clad in a black cloak and masked,
wandering around furtively.
Elvira and Ernani are filled with happiness, but while they
are exchanging promises of eternal love, they hear the sound
of a horn. Ernani, recognizing the signal, grows pale
and sends Elvira off on a pretext. Silva then reveals himself,
removing the mask and recalling Ernani's pact.
Ernani tries to dissuade him; then also Elvira,
who has returned and understood what is happening,
intercedes with the old man, at first angrilyly, then
with tenderness, but all in vain. Silva is adamant.
Ernani has no choice but to hold to his oath: with a dagger
he stabs himself in the breast and dies.